Roberto Mancini was ‘unhappy’ with Saudi Arabia role, open to Italy return | OneFootball

Roberto Mancini denies receiving a €20m payout when fired by Saudi Arabia, but confirms both sides were ‘unhappy’ with progress and he would be open to an Italy return. ‘You never know.’

The coach walked away from the Azzurri in August 2023, just days before two crucial EURO 2024 qualifiers, and immediately signed on as the new boss of the Saudi Arabia national team.

That experience did not last long, as he terminated his contract to 2027 by mutual consent last week after just 14 months in charge.

Mancini short-lived Saudi Arabia experience

Twitter: @SaudiNT

Returning to the Peninsula, Mancini was given the legendary Tapiro d’Oro award, a joke statuette of a tapir handed out by comedy show Striscia La Notizia to those who had a bad week in the news.

“I am disappointed. We did good work in these months, but at times the results don’t come and both sides were unhappy,” explained Mancini.

He was pressed on the reports that he received a €20m payout to leave the job early, as well as the massive salary he had been earning regardless.

“It’s all lies.”

Luciano Spalletti’s Italy are on fine form at the moment in the Nations League after a dismal European Championship, but Mancini was still asked if he would ever return to be a coach in Italy.

“You never know in life. We did very good things together, including the all-time record of 37 games unbeaten.”

Antonio Cassano has suggested Mancini as the ideal replacement for Ivan Juric at troubled Roma.